The activists assembled at the spot near the former ‘camel’s hump’ checkpoint, where in 1972, the young Fian was shot dead by a rubber bullet fired by the British crown forces to unveil a new plaque.
Tobias Molloy was 18 years old when, returning from his girlfriend’s home in Lifford, he was struck above the heart by a rubber bullet fired by the British army.
The British propagandists were quick to claim that Tobias was shot while taking part in a riot but these claims were disputed by local eyewitnesses, who were adamant that he was nowhere near the riot, and was shot down in cold blood without reason.
Local youths helped carry the injured Tobias to Lifford hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
As his body was taken home from across the border, accompanied by hundreds of mourners, it was attacked by British soldiers as it passed by their army base. Mourners were forced to fight their way through as they were attacked with batons and rubber bullets, some of which hit the hearse which carried the dead Fianna boy’s coffin.
The funeral which was attended by thousands of people from the West Tyrone area stretched over five miles to the Donneyloop graveyard in Donegal. As the remains reached the cemetery it was surrounded by hundreds of Free State soldiers and Gardaí, who were there under the auspices of preventing an IRA tribute, a tribute that had already been paid before Tobias’s remains left his hometown.
At the unveiling Tobias’ cousin Anne Caldwell spoke about her memories of Tobias as a young man. She described Tobias as a quiet young man who came from an a-political family and because of the events around him he educated himself in Republicanism and then made the decision to join the ranks of the Republican movement.
Also speaking at the unveiling was chair of Strabane Ógra Shinn Féin, John McDermott who thanked everyone for turning out, especially the Molloy family who have supported all events.
John also made a call for young people to get involved in activism within their communities saying;
“It’s great to see so many people here, and more so – so many young people. I would call on young people here to educate yourselves on the brave activities of our past generation of Republican youth, and take inspiration from their example and join in the struggle for independence. There are many avenues in which you can get involved be that joining Sinn Fein and becoming a political activist.”
“Sinn Fein are to the fore in leading our country to reunification and I urge you to get involved. Strabane National Graves are involved in sterling work behind the scenes – they maintain monuments, plaques and graves of our Republican dead. They carry out a crucial part of ensuring the legacy of the fallen volunteers struggle aren’t forgotten. Gael Phobal is central to the promotion of the Irish language in the Strabane area, and the GAA which is a volunteer led, community based organisation that promotes Gaelic games. It is part of the Irish consciousness and plays an influential role in Irish society that extends far beyond the basic aim of promoting Gaelic games. I call on the young people here today to make contact with one – or all of the organisations and play your part in making a better Ireland.”
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